NOT THE STAR WE SIGNED: Texas A&M’s 5-Star Signee Struggling Badly in Camp — ‘It’s Like He Forgot How to Play’
When Texas A&M landed their highly-touted 5-star signee earlier this year, Aggie fans were buzzing. Social media was flooded with highlight reels, recruiting analysts labeled him a “program changer,” and expectations skyrocketed. But now, just a few weeks into fall camp, a sobering reality is setting in — the player who was supposed to be a freshman phenom is instead raising concerns with his shaky start.
According to multiple reports from inside camp, the standout recruit has been struggling in virtually every aspect of his game. His timing is off, his decision-making appears slow, and his once-elite athleticism seems muted. One source put it bluntly: “It’s like he forgot how to play.”
Coaches aren’t hitting the panic button yet — freshman struggles are nothing new — but the drop-off between what they saw on high school film and what’s happening on the practice field is significant. Even fellow players have quietly admitted that the hype might have been “a bit much” at this stage.
There are several possible reasons for the slump. First, the leap from high school to SEC football is enormous. The speed of the game, the complexity of playbooks, and the physicality of opponents can overwhelm even the most talented recruits. Second, the mental pressure of living up to “5-star” expectations can weigh heavily on a young athlete, sometimes impacting performance more than fans realize.
For now, Texas A&M’s staff is preaching patience. They’ve seen enough raw talent in flashes to believe this could still turn around before the season opener. But the reality is clear: the Aggies didn’t recruit him for “flashes” — they brought him in to make an immediate impact.
Aggie Nation will be watching closely over the next few weeks. If the star recruit can find his rhythm, this slow start will be a forgotten footnote. But if the struggles persist, the whispers of “not the star we signed” will only grow louder. The clock is ticking — and so is the hype meter.
